The Spurs and seeding: Why finishing at the top still matters

Throughout the second half of the season, Gregg Popovich has attempted to deflect nearly all questions about nailing down the top seed in the Western Conference.

Popovich has been careful to say that while he would never turn down a high seed, it doesn’t categorically guarantee success in the playoffs.

But it sure helps.

In looking at Popovich’s own playoff record, you can see how important seeding is.

In games where his team has had the better seed and homecourt advantage, Popovich’s teams are 20-5 (.800 percent). When they are lower and without the homecourt advantage they are a more pedestrian 5-4 (.556).

The Spurs’ championship seasons have included two No. 1 seeds (1999, 2003) a No. 2 seed (2005) and a No. 3 seed (2007). They had No. 1 seeds in 1995, 2001 and 2006 but failed to win titles.

After their victory in Atlanta Tuesday night and the Lakers’ loss to Utah later in the evening, the Spurs now appear to be in position to nail down the No. 1 seed for the first time since 2006 and end a recent trend that has seen them earn decreasing seeds for the last several seasons.

Here’s a look at how the Spurs have played in the NBA playoffs in terms of their seeds.

Year Seed Elimination series

1977 – Seeded No. 5 East Lost to No. 4 Boston

1978 – Seeded No. 2 East Lost to No. 3 Washington

1979 – Seeded No. 2 East Lost to No. 1 Washington

1980 – Seeded No. 5 East Lost to No. 4 Houston

1981 – Seeded No. 2 West Lost to No. 6 Houston

1982 – Seeded No. 2 West Lost to No. 1 L.A. Lakers

1983 – Seeded No. 2 West Lost to No. 1 L.A. Lakers

1985 – Seeded No. 7 West Lost to No. 2 Denver

1986 – Seeded No. 8 West Lost to No. 1 L.A. Lakers

1988 – Seeded No. 8 West Lost to No. 1 L.A. Lakers

1990 – Seeded No. 2 West Lost to No. 3 Portland *

1991 – Seeded No. 2 West Lost to No. 7 Golden State

1992 – Seeded No. 5 West Lost to No. 4 Phoenix

1993 – Seeded No. 5 West Lost to No. 1 Phoenix

1994 – Seeded No. 4 West Lost to No. 5 Utah

1995 – Seeded No. 1 West Lost to No. 6 Houston

1996 – Seeded No. 2 West Lost to No. 3 Utah

1998 – Seeded No. 5 West Lost to No. 1 Utah

1999 – Seeded No. 1 West Won NBA Title

2000 – Seeded No. 4 West Lost to No. 5 Phoenix

2001 – Seeded No. 1 West Lost to No. 2 L.A. Lakers

2002 – Seeded No. 2 West Lost to No. 3 L.A. Lakers

2003 – Seeded No. 1 West Won NBA Title

2004 – Seeded No. 3 West Lost to No. 2 L.A. Lakers *

2005 – Seeded No. 2 West Won NBA Title

2006 – Seeded No. 1 West Lost to No. 4 Dallas

2007 – Seeded No. 3 West Won NBA Title

2008 – Seeded No. 3 West Lost to No. 1 L.A. Lakers

2009 – Seeded No. 3 West Lost to No. 6 Dallas

2010 – Seeded No. 7 West Lost to No. 3 Phoenix

* – Note: Portland had the homecourt advantage in 1990. San Antonio had the homecourt advantage in 2004.